For ordinary people, consuming even a single Devil Fruit was already enough to elevate their strength to a superhuman level.
But two?
That was practically impossible.
Everyone in the world knew that Devil Fruits were cursed fruits tainted by demons. Once consumed, one would be possessed by demonic power and forever rejected by the sea.
But what about two fruits?
The body would explode the instant the second fruit was eaten.
And yet the man before them was actually a dual Devil Fruit user.
Moreover, his second fruit was the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi once possessed by one of the Three Legendary Pirates… Golden Lion Shiki.
Information spoken directly by figures like the Gorōsei was effectively confirmation itself. And that also meant that during the battle earlier, the other party had still not gone all out.
Without realizing it, had the gap between him and the other man already widened to such an extent?
Sakazuki suddenly recalled Kojin's words during the battle.
"You've grown stronger, but that doesn't mean I've been standing still!"
Not only had Kojin not remained stagnant… He had become even stronger.
Looking at the figure ahead of him, with both arms severed, his body pierced through by multiple Seastone chains, Sakazuki fell silent.
His heart was filled with shock.
Anyone else suffering Kojin's current injuries and treatment would already be dead beyond doubt. Yet the other man, his legs shackled with Seastone and iron chains piercing through his body, could still unleash terrifying combat power and fight them to the bitter end.
What kind of monster was this?
And what kind of spirit did he possess?
"They're right. With Kojin's strength, in ten years… twenty years… the Marines will ultimately fall under his control. There will never again be a place for me." Sakazuki sighed inwardly.
He wanted to surpass Kojin fair and square, but he also clearly understood that the current him probably could not achieve it at all.
"It's time to clean up the aftermath. His stamina has already been exhausted. The only reason he's still standing is because of sheer willpower. I truly must praise him." Saint Jaygarcia Saturn slowly said, his eyes fixed upon Kojin, who still stood there like a towering mountain.
"In a certain sense, you are no longer human… You are a true monster."
He stepped forward slowly. But even at the moment of victory, Jaygarcia Saturn still remained extraordinarily cautious and grave.
No one could ignore a monster like the man before them.
While alive, he possessed terrifying combat power that was nearly invincible.
And once dead, all injuries and wounds on his body would recover completely.
They could not even allow him to commit suicide.
Such a monster, one that could not be killed no matter what, was like a bug accidentally created by God during the creation of mankind itself, something unbelievable and deeply terrifying.
Even the "Creator" within the Room of Flowers in Pangaea Castle feared him to the extreme.
And thus, this operation had come into existence.
"He cannot be killed. He can only be controlled."
"Even if we can only temporarily seal his strength and restrict his range of movement, imprisoning him for five years, eight years, or ten years would still be tremendous news for the world."
Jaygarcia Saturn sighed inwardly.
The World Government's information network had already reached the West Blue. As time passed, the reports gradually returning caused even them to feel alarmed.
Because Kojin's subordinates were growing far too quickly.
They could not imagine what the world would look like if this trend continued for another ten years. By then, the entire Marine system might become something commanded entirely by Kojin alone.
And Marines that no longer answered to the World Government would be like a wild horse freed from its reins, something they absolutely could not tolerate.
Therefore, they had to find an opening and stop this terrifying momentum.
"You will be imprisoned in the deepest darkness of Impel Down. We will build a prison cell exclusively for you. You can spend your eternal life there."
The cold words echoed out.
Kojin's eyes turned utterly icy as he quietly stared at the five before him.
Suddenly… He burst into loud laughter.
"Imprisonment? Death?"
"They mean nothing to me! Everything you're doing is utterly meaningless!"
The Gorōsei frowned, their expressions darkening. They also understood clearly that this operation could only suppress him temporarily.
One day, this time bomb would inevitably explode once more and return.
"Time will prove that we were right." Topman Warcury said deeply.
The five stepped forward together, using all their strength to pin Kojin down onto the ground. Sakazuki silently watched the scene unfold, his expression complicated as countless emotions surged through him.
"Any means used against someone who has strayed from the proper path and betrayed justice…"
"…are absolutely justified."
Very quickly, his eyes became firm once more.
His gaze icy cold, he watched Kojin being pressed to the ground while the Gorōsei threaded thick chains through his body one after another.
A monster like this…
If not for that bizarre bloodline of his, the World Government would probably have erased him long ago.
"An immortal bloodline is indeed powerful… But it has also become your fatal weakness. People often die because of the thing they are strongest at." Sakazuki said softly.
Kojin was firmly restrained.
The Seastone chains rapidly weakened his body, and even the last trace of strength remaining within him gradually faded away.
The Gorōsei's plan had indeed been meticulous.
They had left Kojin with just enough life to survive, yet not enough to die.
Suddenly, the five old men all raised their heads sharply and looked toward the shore.
A battleship slowly docked.
At the bow of the ship, a figure leapt high into the air. In the blink of an eye, he had already arrived above their heads.
Behind him, a white Marine coat fluttered violently in the wind, while his square face was filled with gloom and fury.
"You actually dared… To lay hands on my beloved disciple!!!" A low, icy, furious voice echoed out, causing even the void itself to tremble.
Then…
Crackle!
Black-and-red lightning illuminated the sky as his Iron Fist clenched tightly.
At that moment, even time and space seemed to freeze.
"Fist Bone: Collision!"
There was not the slightest hesitation or doubt.
Only boundless rage.
"Garp!!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's expression changed slightly as he shouted.
The Gorōsei instantly grabbed Kojin and retreated at high speed.
"BOOM!"
Almost at the exact moment their figures vanished, the ground below was struck as though by a nuclear bomb.
The earth rapidly split apart, collapsed, and shattered. Everything became distorted and blurred as enormous shockwaves roared outward in every direction.
"Garp, stop!" Jaygarcia Saturn shouted loudly.
The other four lined up side by side, their expressions extremely ugly as they stared at the man who had landed before them, flames practically burning in his eyes.
"Kojin is a newly appointed Admiral! He absolutely cannot be taken away by the five of you!"
Another voice rang out.
Golden light flashed, and a massive golden Buddha appeared, stepping forward until it stood before the five elders.
"Sengoku! What are you trying to do?!" The Gorōsei's expressions darkened.
"That question should be reversed! What exactly are you trying to do?!" Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped forward, standing alongside Garp and Sengoku as she shouted coldly.
"The five of you attacked a Marine Admiral without authorization. Isn't that going too far?"
"Even if you are the five highest authorities representing the world itself!"
Zephyr also stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice.
The Gorōsei stared at the four before them, falling into silence for a moment.
"Kojin has crossed the World Government's bottom line. He secretly sheltered Ohara scholars and privately abducted a World Government scientist. His crimes are unforgivable! Are you truly planning to become enemies of the World Government?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn shouted coldly.
The expressions of the other four elders shifted slightly, clearly troubled.
The Marines were one of the World Government's most important pillars. For all these years, they had also maintained the government's public authority and prestige.
One could even say that the stability of the world depended heavily upon them.
"Kojin, did you do those things?" Hearing this, Sengoku's eyes flickered briefly before he looked toward Kojin.
"No." Kojin grinned and answered decisively.
The Gorōsei's expressions instantly darkened further.
"He didn't do it. The five of you attacked our newly appointed Marine Admiral without authorization. Should I interpret this as the World Government intending to start a war against the Marines?"
After a brief pause, Sengoku's eyes turned incomparably cold.
"I believe that, with my current position, I still have the authority to make certain decisions."
The moment these words were spoken, Garp, Tsuru, Zephyr, and even the Gorōsei all changed expressions.
Even Kojin looked somewhat surprised. He had not expected Sengoku to act so decisively.
Clearly, this newly appointed Fleet Admiral intended to protect him no matter what.
"Sengoku, you're being far too reckless!!" Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro shouted angrily.
"No… you are the reckless ones! Right at the moment the new Fleet Admiral has taken office, you actually launch a sneak attack like this! You've disgraced the dignity of the World Government!" Sengoku shouted coldly.
To everyone's surprise, the new Fleet Admiral's attitude was incomparably firm and resolute, showing not the slightest fear toward the Gorōsei.
The five elders' expressions became extremely ugly, their eyes icy cold, yet none of them spoke.
The atmosphere at the scene became unbelievably tense, as though another war could erupt at any moment.
Especially Garp, whose eyes burned with fury…
The Gorōsei had no doubt that if the situation escalated further, he would charge at them without hesitation.
"What a headache." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro frowned.
Suddenly, a streak of golden light flashed in the distance, refracting across the battlefield before landing behind Sengoku in an instant.
"Well, now, curiosity really does kill the cat. To think I'd stumble into such a terrifying scene."
Amid flickering golden light, Borsalino appeared, quietly standing behind Zephyr while staring at the five elders ahead.
When he saw Kojin's condition, his pupils contracted slightly.
A trace of hesitation flashed through his eyes before quickly hardening into determination.
"I don't care who the five of you are. But attacking one of our Marine Admirals for no reason…"
"…isn't something we can simply pretend not to see."
Another cold yet lazy voice echoed out.
In the blink of an eye, frost spread across the ground, while thin ice formed over the Gorōsei's bodies.
The temperature suddenly plummeted.
Kuzan stepped forward and stood beside Kizaru.
Seeing this scene, the Gorōsei were both furious and deeply wary.
They had never expected the Marines' attitude to be this resolute.
At this moment, both the older generation and the younger generation of Marine powerhouses had chosen without hesitation to stand against them.
The situation instantly fell into a deadlock.
Neither side spoke.
Only after a long silence did Saint Jaygarcia Saturn let out a sigh and slowly speak.
"In that case… Let us negotiate."
They could not afford to lose the Marines at this moment. Nor could they accept starting a massive war today over Kojin alone.
Hearing this, Sengoku secretly let out a sigh of relief, though his expression remained stern as he slowly nodded.
(End of Chapter)
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